Intent

All pupils at High Hazels have the right to have rich learning experiences that balance all the aspects of computing. With technology playing such a significant role in society today, we believe pupils must be able to participate effectively and safely in this digital world. A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has links with mathematics, science, and design and technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems. At High Hazels Academy, pupils are introduced to a range of technology, including laptops and iPads, allowing them to continually practice and improve the skills they learn. This ensures they become digitally literate so that they can express themselves and develop their ideas through information and computer technology– at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.

We teach a curriculum that enables children to become effective users of technology who can:

• Understand and apply the essential principles and concepts of Computer Science, including logic, algorithms and data representation;

• Analyse problems in computational terms, and have practical experience of writing computer programs to solve such problems;

• Communicate ideas well by utilising appliances and devices throughout all areas of the curriculum.

Implementation

• Children first experience technology in the early years through learning about technical appliances at home such as microwaves and mobile phones and life skills such as weather forecasts linking to the Develop Matters objectives.  Then each year pupils build on their knowledge by completing a computing skills, safer internet and programming unit to meet the aims of the National Curriculum. These units are built up progressively to ensure children have a secure understanding and are digitally literate. We include challenge questions for pupils to apply their learning in a philosophical/open manner and opportunities to work on a range of devices to enhance the learning experience.

Additionally, we enhance children’s awareness of safe digital practices through Internet Safety Week and the RSHE curriculum through a range of activities and exercises such as assemblies, scenario work, quizzes etc.

Impact

Our Computing curriculum is high quality, well thought out and is planned to demonstrate progression. If children are keeping up with the curriculum, they are deemed to be making good or better progress. The impact of our curriculum is evident in:

• Profiles (EYFS)
• Computing learning journeys (KS1 and KS2)
• Online portfolios of work (junior)
• Pupil discussions about their learning
• The use of technology in other areas of the curriculum (UKS2)

Internet Safety

High Hazels Academy takes internet safety extremely seriously. We have a Safer Internet Policy that provides guidance for teachers and children about how to use the internet safely.  You may find the following links useful to help your child stay safe online at home:

Understanding social networking sites and how to keep your children safe: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/

Great advice to help keep your children safe online: https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/

Safety information for the whole family: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/security?ui=en-US&rs=en-US&ad=US

Report any illegal content on the internet: https://www.iwf.org.uk/

Keep up to date with any e-safety issues: https://www.childnet.com/

Safety information for parents: https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/

Information on gaming safely with resources for parents and children:  https://news.microsoft.com/2009/01/14/microsoft-encourages-families-to-get-game-smart/

Understand and share the world of social networking websites with your children: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/

Weekly Online Safety information posters for parents: https://nationalonlinesafety.com/wakeupwednesday

Computing curriculum map